Hey DOR, can you see me? Look at these radar ears and all seeing eyes. I know what you are doing there in the barn. I can hear the grain scoop. I can hear the grain getting poured into treat tubs. I can see you moving around, taking peeks at me while you are pretending you can't see me. Yep you are not very sneaky you know. You need to be more stealthy to get in and out of the barn without me noticing. So what you got for me?
Well those are some nice looking treat buckets. The DOR mixes them up for Shandi and I every evening. Well if we are naughty or too pushy we have to skip treats so we don't just expect them every time we see the DOR. We get dry cob, our individualized supplements, and some special treat tossed in on top.
I have taught Shandi how not to mug the DOR for treats whenever she comes in the paddock. I have been practicing myself...well I have been practicing being sneakier about it, that way we can have treats every night. I love my treats: oats, carrots, apples, peppermints, pears, peaches, and anything else I can get my lips on.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!
Put on your stretchy pants and call it a day
~Captian Phil Harris of the Cornelia Marie of Discoveries Deadliest CatchAfter stuffing ourselves on Thanksgiving Shandi and I took this advice to heart. Although we did without the stretchy pants because we would just look plain silly. The DOR says they don't make stretchy pants big enough to cover my big spotted butt. She better be careful what she says, after all she ate plenty herself over the past two days.
The point of the quote for this week is sometimes you just have to take a moment to relax. We horses make sure to relax every day. Freedom has relaxing down to an art. On Thursday he was flat out in the pasture snoring to beat the band. He says that is part of practicing Freedom Zen. The DOR has learned to take a moment at her work where she closes her eyes, breathes deeply, and clears her mind...she is a lot less stressed afterward.
So may I suggest that everyone take a few moments each day just to relax. If you have time put on your stretchy pants and call it a day. Relaxing will help you live longer, look at how old Freedom is.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!
The first photo is of the DOR's rescue horse Harely Darling. He was Jack's prankster playing best friend.
This little horse is one of the ranch rescues. He reminded us of Harley and we all loved him. Pascal was let go on Thanksgiving Day when his kidneys got so bad he went into congestive heart failure. The Horse Guardian, a friend of the DOR , took wonderful care of Pascal. As they waited together for the veterinarian to arrive the Horse Guardian was crying, letting them go even when it is the right thing is hard. Pascal, even as ill as he was, tried to comfort her. He nuzzled and rubbed his head on the Horse Guardian. You see we horses care about our humans and do not want to see them unhappy or sad. Pascal loved the Horse Guardian. She showed him that not all humans were mean, she gave him back his courage, with her he found the Brio that he had in his youth. He passed away peacefully and will be laid to rest by Harley Darling and Her Royal Highness Ginger.
Now while this may seem like a sad post that isn't my purpose. You see at my old age I have seen a lot of pasture mates cross the rainbow bridge, it is part of life. What I want to talk about is what rescue is. Many people think that rescuing a horse means that a horse is taken out of a bad situation, rehabbed, trained, and moved to a forever home. That is rescue is what all rescues should turn out like. But the truth of the matter is that sometimes a rescue means taking a horse that is beyond rehabbing and giving it as many good days as you can, then granting it a peaceful end. On a rare occasion a rescue means just making final arrangements for a peaceful end. There are humans who will be happy to rescue as long as things are going to go the way they should, they are blessings to us horses. But then there are the rescuers who take on the hard cases, the horses that they know will need to be let go because they will never get well-only get better for a short period of time. These people are not only blessings, but they are true angels. Time and time again they make the last days of a horse heaven on earth before the horse crosses the rainbow bridge. The Horse Guardian is one such person...she has exceptional courage and a huge heart. I wish to thank her for all she does for us horses. I wish the Horse Guardian's heart wasn't hurting right now and I hope she knows that every horse at the ranch loves her deeply.
Life is so good! Oh and Jack told me to remember to say: Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR
I want to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving! May you have a day filled with family, friends, love, laughter, and plenty of treats-errr I mean food.
The DOR and I have so much to be thankful for. We are thankful for all of our friends and family. We are thankful for the people who read this humble blog. We are ever so thankful for the people who mentor us on our journeys together. We are also thankful for each other. The DOR heard a song that said, "Breathing in and out is a blessing can't you see?" so I guess we are all truly blessed.
The DOR has special treats for us and we are thankful for that too.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!
Soooo, see these buckets? Shandi and I have buckets just like them. Mine is the green one and Shandi's is the red one. Every evening the DOR puts four cups of dry cob, our personalized supplements, and a couple of carrots in them for us. She hangs our assigned bucket in our assigned spot and we dig in. While we munch she hums and scoops poop. She is weird, who in their right mind hums while they do poop duty?
Well last night the DOR was being filmed for a documentary by a Japanese film crew so the Support Crew Chief brought Mushboy out to do chores. I waited at the hay tub with Shandi, munching our hay. I waited to hear the scoop dump dry cob in our special feed buckets. I waited for the Support Crew Chief to hang our buckets at our assigned spots. The support Crew Chief came out and walked over to where we were eating our hay, no buckets, no treats, just a scritch for both of us. I thought that maybe I just wasn't seeing well, after all it was pitch black and I could have missed the buckets. But alas I was seeing perfectly fine-no treats!
DOR I insist that you inform the Support Crew Chief that he must give us our treats when he does chores for you. Failure to deliver the treats will result in extra poop in the paddock for you to scoop. Failure to deliver the treats will result in grumpy behavior. Failure to deliver the treats will result in snorts and sillies in the arena. Oh wait, Freedom says that blackmail and demands won't work and will get us even less treats. Considering the fact that he gets the most treats of all of us and he is older and wiser I should probably take his advice. So failure to deliver treats will result in me giving a pooky face and a smooch because I love you. But I would appreciate it if the Support Crew Chief could at least give us a carrot...pretty please.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!
So on Saturday the DOR and I went to the arena to work. I saw something there that I had never seen before, a little blue tarp with legs! I don't like blue tarps, they eat horses you know and there is nothing more frightening than one with legs that can chase a horse down. The little blue tarp waited outside the fence and chirped on occasion. When I would go past the blue tarp it would giggle, I am sure it was because it was thinking how delicious I was going to taste. The DOR had no pity and made me continue going by the tarp. She did let me take a break from circling but it was only to lead me closer to the tarp. The DOR's friend lifted the tarp up and I saw a little human head poking out-what the heck? Did that tarp eat a little human? The DOR asked the little blue tarp if it would like a pony ride. Is she crazy!!! It isn't safe to put horse eating items on a horse's back...I thought she loved me. The little tarp came in the arena and I dropped my head to look at it. I ignored the tarp and nuzzled the little human head, poor little human eaten by a tarp. I smooch the little human head hoping it would not be so worried about the tarp that had trapped it. The DOR's friend was holding the little tarp and set it on my back, I snorted and took a step, the tarp got off. I looked at the little human head, it gave me a kiss. I decided that the poor little human head needed to have some fun even if a tarp was eating it, so I let the little blue tarp sit on me again. Great just great, the first time a rider is on me since I was hurt and it is being eaten by a blue tarp. The DOR and her friend told me I was a very good boy. I made it clear that having to give a little blue tarp a ride was a big favor and that I should get extra treats. The DOR informed me that I was so nice to give a little girl a ride, especially when she had on a blue coat! A little kid, that was a little kid! I was a bit embarrassed when I heard that, I love little kids. I didn't know that humans put tarps on little kids too. We all wear green tarps except for Shandi, hers is rose colored. The DOR teases me that she is going to get me a blue tarp for the winter, at least I think she is teasing. Well I did learn that little blue tarps are pretty harmless, but I still don't like them.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!
Don't betray your horse's confidence, finish what you start.
~Buck BrannamanSo the DOR and I went to the arena yesterday. I haven't been to the arena since my injury. I have been out of the pasture twice for short walks, I have been working in the pasture and paddock, but this was a big adventure. I had to snort at everything and I got the sillies. When we got to the arena I had to work on walking small circles in the sand. Walking was too hard, it is easier to do circles at a trot. I started trotting and the DOR insisted that I walk...why? I wanted to frolic and be silly, she wanted me to use my hindend right. She stuck with insisting I walk because she knew if she didn't she would not be a good leader and that would effect my confidence. After I was walking like I should she asked me to start walking over a railroad tie, that was hard! I had to lift up my hinds and reach them forward, I couldn't drag them. Well I snorted and shook my head to let her know how hard this was. The DOR told me she knew it was hard but she had confidence I could do it four times nicely each way. Well alrighty then, I'll show her nice...I jumped over the tie and then bucked. She made me stop and stand quietly, she checked my neck and back for soreness, found none so asked me again to step over the railroad tie. I stepped over and then bucked again. The DOR made me do several small circles and then asked me again to go over the tie nicely. I complied, four times each way. She complemented me on a job well done.
The DOR didn't like me jumping or bucking. She worried that I might not be stable enough on my feet and could fall. Despite that worry and the voice whispering to her to just call it good and to give me my treats, she insisted that I do what she asked. I realized that she was showing me that she was the leader. By standing up to my antics and not letting me get away with things because I am recovering I have more confidence in her. Buck is right, if you don't finish what you start your horse's confidence in you is eroded and that confidence is essential for a good partnership.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!
The DOR has informed me that I have become a slightly bad-tempered treat mooch. Whatever! She has no idea what she is talking about. She says this picture is proof that I am a bit grouchy when carrots, green apple treats, or rose hips do not appear quick enough from her pocket. She says I have my ears back and I am already working my mouth in anticipation. Again I say whatever! Take a closer look...My ears aren't pinned, they are slightly rotated because I am listening for danger. Danger could be coming and I would have to be ready in an split second to save the DOR. My mouth isn't working in anticipation of a treat, I am trying to sing to the DOR. The DOR is always singing or humming to us so I thought I would return the favor. Just because the DOR thinks that I am a treat mooch does not make it so. Just because I rush over to her and check out her pockets before I give her a smooch these days does not mean I am a treat mooch. Just because I stand with my nose through the barn window every time I hear someone in the barn does not mean I am a treat mooch. I am thinking that the DOR needs to spend more time practicing her horsey communication. She must be rusty because she is completely misinterpreting what I am doing...that is my story and I am sticking to it. I have been wrongly accused I tell you and the DOR should return to carrying treats for me in her pockets again.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!
See these lovely feet and prints. These are my hinds from this have weekend. Notice that I nice round toes?
Look carefully at the second picture, it was taken four weeks ago...you can see (especially on the left foot) how I have drug my toes off square. They were not pretty.
The great thing is that I haven't done any squaring of my toes since my trim the first of this month. It shows I am picking up my feet better, the DOR is very happy about that.Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!
Thank you Marge...I love the beans and the neck skritchThe DOR, Mushboy, and I have been intrigued by sea beans. We read about them at Space Coast Beach Buzz and at other sites linked from that site. Marge is the wonderful lady that manages Space Coast Beach Buzz.
The large one in the photo is called a heart bean and is supposed to be lucky. The smaller one is a hamburger bean and looks really cute. Marge sent a package up to us containing both types of these beans along with the "Little book of Sea Beans". I am really excited about this, although I can not eat them because that would be bad. The heart bean was polished by hand for me by Bill Blazek, who gave it to Marge to give to me. It is so smooth and shiny. The DOR says she is going to figure out a way to fix the heart bean so it will hook to my bridle. I can carry it for good luck like I carry some of Harley Darling's mane to be brave. Being a Native American pony I think it is a good thing to have my own medicine pouch with all of my power objects.
Visit Marge's site when you have a chance. Check out the animals and other sea beans. Such beauty to be found in a simple object. I love sea beans!
My journey continues and it has been blessed by wonderful friends. This gift means so much to all of us, thank you Marge and friends. I also want to thank Marge and her friends for all of the wonderful work they do educating humans about the beach and ocean life, the turtle rehab, and the protection of other wildlife.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug our DOR!
The two little legs that look like they might have sprouted out of my left side belong to my Shandi Doll. So I am not a six legged horse, although that might be a sight to see and when I was first having problems I could have used those extra legs-well maybe they would have been useless at that point also.. Mushboy is watching me have to move around the paddock to get away from the DOR. She is going to goose me to make me do my bum tucks and back-ups...I didn't want goosed, I wanted more carrots. What I want to show you in this picture is that there is weight on all four of my feet while I am standing! This is a new thing in the past week. I have been really cocking one of my hinds out at an odd angle with no weight on it every time I stood. The therapist worked some big knots out of my croup area which made it so I could stand with weight on both hinds at the same time. The DOR keeps massaging that spot and several others she was assigned to work on every day. It is helping lots. As you may notice I am still leaving what the DOR calls "worm trails" with my hinds in this picture, but they are 90% shorter than they were. At one time they looked like constant lines swirling around the paddock. Now my worm trails might be about 5 inches long and they are getting shorter the more my back loosens up. So there will be no worm trails, only beautiful appy hoof prints. Getting ready to dance a waltz with the DOR come this spring!
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!
Horses can't stand to be on welfare, they need a job or they start causing trouble.
~Buck Brannaman
I think that Buck may have met a few of us at the ranch. There are a few of us here who become naughty if we are not busy. Seems people are the same way, or at least teenagers-if they aren't busy they can get naughty.
The little filly that keeps the old men company becomes an escape artist when she isn't kept busy. Shandi develops "beaver lips" and eats the side off the barn is she is bored. Salty plays "how grouchy can I look" when he needs entertainment. Coehlo does his king of the ranch imitation and tosses his treat tub around.
Then there is me...I am so bored right now because I am still working on getting all my parts to work together. I am doing the "mooch treats off of everyone you see" trick to keep busy and am a bit grouchy with my best friend. The equine therapist told the DOR that I need to start walking up and down hills along with stepping over railroad ties each evening. She feels that I am a bit bored and I need to be busier to keep moving forward in my recovery. Now I guess I won't be bored...wonder what the other horses will have to do to get unbored?
By the way Freedom is the only horse who doesn't seem to get bored. I guess he has learned to find entertainment in the simple things.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!
This photo show Salty and me eating our breakfast mush. Mushboy has taken my light blanket off for the day, it is clear and sunny so I will enjoy the break.
The DOR had told you that I wouldn't go in the shelter. Well I decided a few days ago that the shelter was a good thing. The wind was blowing with up to 50 MPH gusts and Salty beat feet for the shelter. He stood in the corner and wasn't getting wind blown, while I was hunkered down in a low spot trying to stay upright. Salty informed me that I was acting senile and to quit being an old fool and come stand by him. Well I am not senile nor am I an old fool, so I headed into the shelter to kick his snooty Arab butt. I hustled in and stopped...there was no wind trying to tip me over, the noise wasn't too bad, and standing close to Salty made things warm. Not to let Salty off the hook I swung my rear around and bumped him hard-point made. Then I stood in the shelter not allowing Salty to leave the corner, yep I kept him pinned in there. Salty didn't even try to leave once I pinned him in the corner, he knew I was mad and wasn't going to challenge me...yep that is exactly what it was, I am sure he would have bolted past a lesser horse. I was so irritated by what he said I kept him pinned in the corner until the wind died down, no playing in the pasture with the breeze blowing his fancy mane around for him. When I thought he had been taught a lesson I let him out and went down to see if the hay stack was still standing.
I now eat my meals in the shelter and can be seen standing in it when the weather is a bit ugly. I guess at my age comforts are nice and I am not being a baby taking advantage of them. This getting old stuff takes some adjusting. I don't move as fast, I like my food just so, want my flowers, and I really want to be comfortable all the time. The DOR says that getting old takes adjustment for humans too. She forgets that she has to slow down a bit, isn't as flexible as she once was, and sometimes she needs help with lifting or moving things. There is no manual for getting old, but she has learned a lot from watching me. She says I don't act old, don't seem to know that I am old, that I just do what I can do and never seem to worry about the things I can't do, and that I find happiness in just being. She says that by accepting myself the way I am I seem so happy. So the DOR is starting to practice what she calls "Freedom Zen"-she does what she can, doesn't fuss about her limitations, and finds joy in simple comforts and brightly colored flowers. It seems to be working, this has been one of the happiest periods in her life. Keep practicing the Zen...maybe more humans should practice Freedom Zen.
Life is so good! Oh and Jack told me to remember to say: Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR
At the ranch is a special little rescue horse. I like him because he looks so much like my best friend Harley Darling. I still miss Harley and love watching this little horse, it makes me remember my friend and that feels good.
So the DOR was out giving the little guy his treat tub. This little guy is in with two big horses for company. She keeps the big guys away so he can get all of his treats. On this day the big guys were at the far end and didn't see her come out with the treats. The little guy spied her and hurried over to eat, he has never done that before. Together they made their way over the hill so the big guys couldn't see them. They stood together, the DOR rubbing his neck and singing to him while he ate his treats. The little guy was eating away when he suddenly started staring at the water tub, the hose had fallen out and water was running everywhere. The DOR had placed the hose there on the way out with the treats, there was only a little water there so she was filling it up. The DOR set down the treat tub, shut a gate so the big guys couldn't get to the little guy and steal his treats. She went down to put the hose back in the tub, the little guy followed along-this is a first also. He then followed her back when she went to get his tub. The little guy started to eat and then noticed one of his friends wanting into the lower section of the pasture. The little guy stopped eating and wandered over to the gate where his friend was. He looked at the DOR, then looked at his friend. The DOR tried to get him to eat more of his treats, but he wanted her to open the gate for his friend. The DOR let his friend in and the little horse took his friend down to show him the fresh water. You see he was more concerned about his friend than he was about getting his treats. He knew his friend was thirsty and wanted the DOR to take care of his friend.
The DOR has learned over her many years to listen to the horses. She pays attention to where they look, how they stand, their movement, their breathing, and that voice that seems to whisper in her ear. She knows we care for each other and we ask for help when we need it. She finds it interesting to spend a day just watching us and learning more about how we communicate.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!
Freedom and Salty are best friends...even their shadows hang out together.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!
So the DOR went to the Buck Brannaman clinic. She learned a lot, but there was something she noticed...there were no spotted ponies. Why do you think that was?
We are smart, athletic, determined, and love our owners with a mighty fierceness. I am thinking that too many humans just don't appreciate our finer points, we are a misunderstood horse. The DOR says that maybe appaloosas are an acquired taste. Well the DOR and I are going to a Ricky Quinn clinic and we are considering participating in the next Buck Brannaman clinic that is in our area. All I have to say is watch out here comes Cactus Jack Splash, I am going to convert participants to the wonders of little spotted ponies!
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!
When I am Old...
I shall wear diamonds
And a wide brimmed straw hat
With silver and leather on it
and I shall spend my social security
On white wine and carrots
And sit in the alley of my barn
And listen to my horses breathe.
I will sneak out
in the middle of a summer's night
And ride the chestnut mare
Across the moonstruck meadow.
If my old bones will allow.
When people come to call I will smile and nod
As I walk them past the gardens to the barn
And show, instead, the beauty growing there
In stalls fresh-lined with straw.
I will shovel and sweat and
Wear hay in my hair as if it were a jewel.
And I will be an embarrassment to all
Who look down on me.
They've not yet found the peace in being free
To love a horse as a friend,
A friend who waits at midnight hour
With nuzzle and nicker and patient eyes
For the kind of woman I will be
When I am Old.
Written by Patty Barnhart
I hate to tell the DOR, but she is old and she sounds a lot like this poem. I think I need to write one like this for horses or maybe Freedom can.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!
The DOR got a new blanket for me. She got a light weight one that will cut the wind and keep me dry. She didn't want me wearing my heavy one anymore, well at least not until the snow flies and the temperatures are down to the 30's or lower-that way I will keep my winter woolies nice and fuzzy.
Last night was my first night in my new digs. I wasn't quite as happy about it as the DOR was hoping. I didn't want my food and water in the shelter. I didn't want to stand in the shelter. I didn't want shut in the paddock. I DIDN"T like anything about the new set-up. I HATE CHANGE!!!
The DOR and Mushboy made the paddock bigger, that way it was the same size as my old paddock. The DOR moved my food out from under the shelter roof.
Then she put my flowers in the stall, I love flowers. I still wasn't too sure about the shelter, it sounds funny in there. The DOR stood inside the shelter for two hours with me while I figured it all out. She kept telling me she wanted me to be warm, that at my age I deserve some extra comforts. What is she talking about at my age? I have lived out in the open my whole life. I never used a blanket until I joined the DOR's herd. I have been a "natural", hardworking, no frills horse. I have to admit I love my warm mush twice a day. I will get used to the shelter. I just like seeing everything that is going on and it blocks part of my view. The DOR is contemplating windows for me. She is also putting together a hanging planter box for my panels.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!
The DOR loves watching House. Her students accuse her of acting like House. Now she may need to see House! Her students have cooties....yep they sure do.
Her school has a herd of kids out with swine flu. What kind of students does she have? I thought she taught humans not pigs. The DOR informed me that humans can get swine flu. Hmmm, I have heard it said that some humans live like pigs-maybe that is the problem. I hope the DOR keeps things tidy so the flu bug doesn't mistake her for a pig.
The first cat was diagnosed with H1N1 that is a bit worrisome. I am not going to let the DOR smooch me until the swine flu isn't going around at her school anymore. I am not getting the pig flu, nope not going there. If I get the pig flu it could cause what tail I have to curl up into a little curly Q, make my nose get stubby, make me have a pot belly-oh wait I have a bit of a pot belly from eating too much-make my eyes all squinty. No I don't think that the swine flu would be good at all.
I am thinking that I may need to wear a mask for protection from the cooties that the DOR may be transporting. I found out that there is a variety of styles and I don't need to wear a plain white one...oh the choices.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!
The DOR took this photo at the Buck Brannaman clinic. It is a bit blurry, but she really likes it. The horses look like they are paying attention to what Buck is saying. Well duh I bet they are, horses know when they are around a genius!
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!
The DOR and I are starting our book. It is something that has been on the "to do" list for a while, but no more putting it off. With the nights getting dark early it is the perfect time to be writing.
The DOR and I will be doing my physical therapy in the daylight. We will start the riding preparation on the weekends when there is plenty of daylight. The evenings will be spent working on our book.
We got the introduction done already and are outlining the chapters. I hope we don't run into any creative differences and if we do they work themselves out peacefully. I am also hopeful that my thoughts will have equal voice in the book.
So the DOR and I are setting off on a new adventure. Boy life is fun! Wonder what we will do once the book is done?
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!
The world is filled with energy, it is in constant motion. All living creatures have energy coursing threw them also. Sometimes energy gets blocked for one reason or another, then energy work needs to be done to help with that.
Last night Freedom and I got to work with an energy therapist. First she worked the old man over. She gave the DOR and Mushboy things that will help with the trouble that Freedom has been dealing with in his right hind leg. She also showed them how to help get the energy moving freely through his neck. Freedom really enjoyed being worked on, he did a lot of yawning. He also made it very clear what he thought about things...good thing he is a happy guy.
She visited me next. I had a few things to tell her and she said that I need to get busy moving. No more life of leisure for me. It appears that I may start carrying a rider shortly. Not for long and not for a bunch of moving. I am going to start by having a rider sit on my back and both of us learning to hold a proper position.
The DOR says it will be like the both of us starting over. I need to learn a new way to move and she needs to learn a new way of riding to help me do that. Alrighty then, together we are on a long journey and we will be taking our first step of that journey tonight.
I liked the energy lady, she has a kind spirit. She seemed to know a lot about Freedom and I considering she had never met us before. I am looking forward to working with her as the DOR and I begin to learn to ride together again.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!
A lot of times people don't ride enough-they ride just enough to make things worse.
~Buck Brannam 10/30/09
Oh no! He didn't say that did he? The DOR surely didn't hear that line, at least I hope she didn't.
I have to say though Buck is right. How many times do our riders just address training at a surface level? Not spending the time to really get our skills polished? It takes years to get things just right, often times our humans forget that. We need to practice over and over what we need to learn, not just practice but practice it right! Often times we get by with a close approximation and the our human gives up, then later they get frustrated because we aren't doing what they ask perfectly. Well duh! If you never ask for the quality you want from the get go, practice it, and spend time honing our skills what could you possibly expect? It isn't like we are going to head out to the pasture and practice on our own, well at least I am not.
Buck says that horsemanship is a fine art, like painting or music. The DOR agrees, but says that painting is easier because the painter isn't using a paintbrush that can think for itself.
The DOR had a horse named Moohshine Nikki. They could do amazing things together and had a wonderful relationship. Sometimes the DOR wishes we had that relationship, then she remembers that it took seventeen years to get to the point that she remembers and wishes for. Seventeen years of riding for at least two hours everyday and all weekend long. Seventeen years of dust, sweat, and hard work. Yep they did what Buck is referring to, they rode enough to get it right. Darn the luck that he reminded her of that. I think my little spotted rear is going to be working as hard as it can every chance the DOR gets....Thanks a lot Buck!
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!
PS
Freedom I saw what you did.....
I am going to get even. You won't know when, you won't know how, but just know it is coming old man.
I was going to send Trudy back to you, but I am keeping her longer and still going to get you!
Well those are some nice looking treat buckets. The DOR mixes them up for Shandi and I every evening. Well if we are naughty or too pushy we have to skip treats so we don't just expect them every time we see the DOR. We get dry cob, our individualized supplements, and some special treat tossed in on top.
